Reconciliation

Well, the election is finally over, to what I think is just about everyone's relief. Of course, not everyone is pleased that President Bush was re-elected. In fact, roughly 48% of the citizens of the United States are, at the very least, a little displeased, after a very tight, partisan, and heated campaign. I've been through several presidential campaigns in my lifetime now, and I think this was the most bitterly divided I've ever seen the country. It was at least as bitter as the campaign between Bush and Gore in 2000, even if the results weren't quite as close.

Right now, even though the candidate I supported won the election, I'm uncertain about the future. I am afraid that the partisanship, division, and ill feelings engendered by the campaigns of 2000 and this year have potential to do great harm to our country. As happy as I am that George W. Bush was victorious, I don't want victory to come at too great a price.

So, as a Christian I feel compelled to address my fellow Christians, especially, about the outcome of the election, and how we ought to respond to our fellow citizens.

A House Divided

Partisanship and ill will toward those we consider our opponents is nothing at all new. Even going so far as to accuse opponents of being evil is nothing new. Accusing those we dislike of evil, even without evidence, is human nature.

Here's a familiar example, from the Bible in Matthew chapter 12, verses 22 to 28:

Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. All the people were astonished and said, "Could this be the Son of David?"
But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons."
Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

There are some things I want to point out in these verses.

First of all, notice that Jesus, as he did throughout His ministry, was doing good for someone. In this example, He healed a blind and mute man, so that the man could see and speak. What an awesome gift and miracle! How could anyone dispute that Jesus' healing of this poor man was an act solely of goodness, kindness, and love? Sadly, though, some people did. The Pharisees, the religious and civic leaders of Jesus' time, were jealous of Him, so rather than celebrating this miracle, they said that Jesus was in league with Satan! That is, in their jealousy and zeal to maintain their own power over people, they stooped so low as to try to twist Jesus' miraculous act of kindness into an act of evil.

How familiar is that reaction to us today? Here is a quote from a commenter on DailyKos, one of the left-wing blogs (forgive the rough language):

The Republican elite are endangering our nation's security, screwing over the poor, violating the liberties of the vulnerable, demonizing their political opposition, lying to their own citizens, committing war crimes and as a result recruiting a new generation of terrorists eager to kill us all, failing to stop nuclear proliferation, and killing young men and women fighting in a war that was planned out on a cocktail napkin.  Evil, cynical bastards.

My purpose in including this quote is not to point out how the left always accuses the right of being evil. I can just as easily find quotes from right-wingers calling leftists evil. My point is that people, today and throughout history, have often accused their opponents of actually being evil. We aren't content just to disagree; we elevate our disagreement to the point that we are doing the same thing that the Pharisees did; in essence, we are saying that those we disagree with are in league with Satan, who is the prince of evil.

This has got to stop, and Jesus, with his usual, cut to the heart of the matter, Godly wisdom, tells us why: "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand."

The continued demonization of the opposition, accusing those we disagree with of evil motives and intentions, is leading our country, I believe, toward political disaster. "Every city or household divided against itself will not stand." Well, right here and now, I am taking a stand against ill-conceived, over-heated and destructive rhetoric.

Repaying Evil With Blessing

As Christians, who are condemned as racists, bigots, intolerant fascists and the like, I believe we have a greater responsibility in these days to reach out to fellow Christians and Americans:

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For,

   "Whoever would love life
       and see good days
   must keep his tongue from evil
       and his lips from deceitful speech.
    He must turn from evil and do good;
       he must seek peace and pursue it.
    For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
       and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
   but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. [1 Peter 3:8-17]

There are numerous places throughout the Bible with similar themes. We are called to be salt and light to the world. Romans 12:18 says, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." There are so many others. As Christians, if we supported political candidates that won in this election, especially in contentious races (like the presidential election), we must not gloat. ("God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."). Rather, it is our duty to seek peace and reconciliation.

My plan is to treat those I know that supported John Kerry with respect. They had reasons for their support. I didn't agree with their reasoning, but that does not impugn their moral character or motives, patriotism, or intelligence. I hope all Christians will do likewise, reaching out to bridge the political and ideological gaps. It is an opportunity to help heal wounds and to bring honor to our Lord, for the benefit of us all.

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